Engineering position (M/F) : Tunable substrates for the study of bacterial motility

Job Description

Missions

We are looking for an engineer who will contribute primarily to the optimization and characterization of substrates, and subsequently to their use in bacterial motility experiments. Once established, these approaches will allow us to explore how bacteria respond to controlled variations in their physical environment.

Activity

• Culture of Myxococcus xanthus (liquid and solid media, preparation of samples for microscopy)
• Fabrication and optimization of substrates with controlled stiffness (polyacrylamide hydrogels, chitosan surface functionalization, UV photopolymerization)
• Characterization of the substrates: mechanical properties (AFM, or other stiffness measurement methods), homogeneity, reproducibility
• Conducting bacterial motility experiments on these substrates (wide-field microscopy, time-lapse acquisitions)
• Data analysis: tracking of individual cells, extraction of motility parameters, in collaboration with the team
• Development and writing of protocols, monitoring of results and issues encountered

Your Profil

Skills

Candidates should hold a Master's degree, engineering degree or equivalent in biology, biophysics or a related field. We are primarily looking for someone who enjoys hands-on laboratory work, method development and troubleshooting. Experience with microscopy, AFM, or other methods for surface or mechanical characterization would be an advantage but is not required. Training will be provided for techniques that are new to the successful candidate.

Your Work Environment

The Centre for Structural Biology (CBS) in Montpellier is an interdisciplinary research institute bringing together biology, biophysics, advanced microscopy and quantitative approaches to biological systems. Our group develops research projects ranging from bacterial behaviour and quantitative imaging to microscopy method development and genome biology.
Within the group, we use Myxococcus xanthus as a model to study bacterial motility and collective behaviour. This soil bacterium displays remarkable individual and collective behaviours. Its surface motility relies on two complementary systems and plays a central role in behaviours such as multicellular organization and predation of other microorganisms. Yet how these behaviours are influenced by the physical properties of the environment remains poorly understood.
We are currently developing substrates with tunable physical properties to address these questions.

Relevant publications:
● Faure, Fiche et al. Nature (2016) 539:530–535.
● Rombouts et al. Nature Communications (2023) 14:5588.
● Mas et al. bioRxiv (2025), doi:10.1101/2025.10.29.685086.
Further information: http://nollmannlab.org/

Constraints and risks

Applicants should deposit a CV and a short cover letter.
Initial contract of 12 months, renewable

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

From €2521 gross per month

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions